Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 10 Jun 1992

Vol. 421 No. 1

Written Answers. - Child Benefit Schemes.

Dick Spring

Question:

28 Mr. Spring asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will outline any specific plans he has to reform the existing child benefit schemes so that the amount of child benefit is multiplied directly according to the number of children a family has, in the event of a multiple birth; and if he will provide a timetable for the implementation of these reforms.

Minister for Social Welfare (Mr. McCreevy)

The existing Child Benefit Scheme provides for payment of benefit at double the normal rate for each child, where three or more children are born together. In addition a special once-off grant of £300 is payable on the birth of triplets and £400 where four or more children are born together. These arrangements give recognition within the child benefit scheme, of the special nature of these births and the additional costs associated with them.

The extension of these provisions in the event of the birth of twins would have substantial financial implications, give that the incidence of twins is significant higher than the incidence of other multiple births. Any proposal to increase child benefit for twins beyond the current level would therefore have to be considered in a budgetary context taking account of the other uses to which the limited resources available could be